Here is an example of an effective antenna built on a budget. It is a horizontally polarized 6 element beam for 222.1 Mhz single sideband. We are going to use it for our limited rover. Credit goes to WA5VJB for his "cheap yagi" (do that exact … [Read more]
Six meter ham radio dipole for the VHF contests
Get on the 6m magic band during the second weekend of every June for the North American VHF contest, and listen for our contest rover KA5D/R. Here is an example of a rigid dipole you can build on short order, with nothing made of unobtainium, that … [Read more]
Motorcycle mobile ham radio installation examples
This video describes the two motorcycle mobile installations I'm running: - 2013 Zero S electric motorcycle with Yaesu FTM-10R radio and Comet SBB-5 antenna; - 2003 Honda VFR800 with Yaesu FT-60R radio and Comet HP-32FHN antenna. Both … [Read more]
New repeater in Austin: 441.325+ PL 186.2
There is a new repeater serving central Austin. Details: KA5D/R, 441.325+, pl 186.2. It accept analog FM or C4FM digital as input, and it outputs analog FM. Here's the coverage prediction: … [Read more]
SOTA on Guadalupe Peak, Texas
On Memorial Day Weekend 2015, we packed Der Funkwagen for a family trip to the highest mountain in Texas...Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet, inside the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The weather was perfect in the West Texas desert, in contrast to … [Read more]
Der Funkwagen in the June 2015 VHF contest
The June VHF contest makes me excited with the possibilities. Anything can happen with the right propagation.We learned this during last year's June VHF contest, when a generous six meter band opening enabled us to win the Western Gulf Division … [Read more]
Getting ready for the June 2015 VHF contest
This year we're very prepared for the June 2015 VHF contest, with better routes, better stops, and some antenna and software upgrades. We're operating limited rover class on 6m, 2m, and 70cm. We're going to start at Ham-Com in Irving TX Saturday and … [Read more]
Tracking our Rover
During VHF contests, we operate a "Limited Rover" class station throughout Texas from a VW Westfalia dubbed "Der Funkwagen." You can track our position using this link. Look for us and call for us on 6m, 2m, and 70cm amateur bands. … [Read more]
My Favorite Social Network is Ham Radio
As an IT professional, I've made it my business and pleasure to use various social networks and communications tools, from the BBS system in the 80s, to IRC and instant messenger in the 90s, to the social networks of the 2000s. After reading this … [Read more]
Obligatory Shack Photo
Here's the latest version of the KD5EUO station. … [Read more]